India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.
The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.
Initial Hope Disappears
The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.
A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.
The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.
Concerning History
It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.
Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.
Reasons for the Slump
The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.
From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.
Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.
Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.
What's Gone Wrong?
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.
Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.
While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.
Multiple Failings
The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.
Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.
This was evident in the performances of the team.
Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.
Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.
Leadership Under Fire
The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.
At his post-series press
